Leonardo to Upgrade Canada’s Cormorant SAR Helicopter Fleet | Aviation International News

Leonardo to Upgrade Canada’s Cormorant SAR Helicopter Fleet

The upgrade has been planned for a decade, but initially delayed on cost grounds, and will now expand the fleet in terms of both capability and numbers.

CH-149 Cormorant helicopter — Having served for two decades the CH-149 Cormorant is due a major upgrade. Adding three more helicopters to the fleet will allow a fourth main operating base to provide long-range and overwater SAR capabilities. (Photo: Leonardo)

By David Donald • Contributor - UK

December 23, 2022

Leonardo has been awarded a contract covering the midlife upgrade of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s fleet of AW101 Cormorant search-and-rescue helicopters. Worth C$1 billion ($740 million), the contract was negotiated through the company’s UK division and will be conducted by Team Cormorant, a Leonardo-led consortium including local companies IMP Aerospace and Defence, GE Canada, and Collins Aerospace Canada. At the same time, a contract was awarded to CAE for the provision of associated training aids.

“The CH-149 Cormorant helicopter is a critical asset for search and rescue operations in Canada,” said the country’s Minister of National Defence, Anita Anand. “These contracts provide the best solution for Canada to upgrade its fleet and provide the accompanying training tools to our aviators so that they can continue to keep Canadians safe now, and in the years to come.”

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